Azores

Sao Miguel - Geological Highlights

The hawaiian effusive eruption of 1563 AD completely buried the old village of Ribeira Seca under about five meters of a very fast lava flow. The associated strombolian cone of Pico de Sapeteiro lies about 5 km to the south. Today Pompeian-like excavations allow us to reach the old buildings of the village wich is now rebuilt over the solified lava flow. Here you can admire a rare type of "lava fountain"... (Roby's definition).